Artist Spotlight

	Andru John

Name: Andru John

City: Miami Beach

Birthplace:  St. Thomas, Canada

Artistic Medium: Copper/acids/paint/wood

How did you get started?
I had a vision of my first piece for many, many years, a table that I designed and finally made for myself. Then I decided to sell my condo, furnished.  The table was too large to move. I got the feeling that people wanted the table more than the unit. I kept saying that the table came with the unit. Finally, a realtor called and asked, since I made that one, can I make another? I thought about it very briefly and said sure. I was commissioned to make three.

Who or what are your influences?
My influence stems mainly from architecture. Mies Van Der Rohe (structure) and Frank Gehry (freeform) are my two favorites.

What inspires your work?
I am inspired by what I see—usually buildings (skyscrapers) and how they interact with their surroundings. My first piece (the table) was directly inspired by Mies Van Der Rohe’s series of bronze buildings: (Seagram, New York City, Westmount Square, Montreal and Toronto Dominion Tower).

How does Miami/South Florida influence your work? 
The sun’s reflection on materials (again, skyscrapers) or the way buildings and objects reflect in the water and against each other. They are permanent fixtures which continue to change/evolve.  Their reflections move over the water or other buildings as the sun passes by.

I chose copper because its warm, reflective quality reminded me of the sun setting over downtown Miami, the Magic City.

How would you describe your work? 
Contemporary organic. All of my pieces are made by hand without machinery—with the exception of a table saw for cutting large wood pieces—and can continue to change and evolve with time. Or once a certain patina or desired color is achieved, they can then be sealed for preservation.

What has been the most unusual reaction to your work from the public?
All the reactions (within earshot) have been extremely complimentary. Is that unusual?

What would you like to achieve as an artist?
Using the most natural/organic resources to create objects that would appear to be inorganic, as though they were made from man made materials or plastics, requiring you to really pay attention and question what is going on.

Upcoming shows:
I am currently working on a series of copper crosses; I will show them upon completion.  The info will be posted on my web page. I am looking for a venue for that.

Where is your work available? 
My works are currently available through my showroom/studio in Wynwood, Studio AJ at the Konner Art Center, 2045 NW 1 Avenue, 2^nd floor, Miami